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Bishops join hands to oppose move

CHANGANASSERY: A conclave of the bishops from various episcopal churches, called by the Inter Church Council for Education, has decided to move together in the fight against what they termed the “assault on and subversion of educational rights ensured in the Constitution”.

In a press note issued after the meeting, they called upon all those who believe in democratic rights to join the fight. Taking serious exception to the Government’s action in cancelling the affiliation of 10 minority-run engineering colleges, the meet said that the anti-minority policies of the Government were getting implemented even as it was trumpeting its pro-minority credentials.

This was part of an effort to isolate those institutions which refused to toe the Government line, the meeting observed.

The constitutional rights of minorities should be secured for all times, the conclave said and added that all were committed to safeguarding the rights.

As such, all democratic methods would be pursued to ensure the protection of these rights, the press note said.

While the Government had not taken any steps to extend free education to the economically backward, the minority institutions provided for scholarships in 25 per cent of the seats, they said.

The meeting was chaired by Archbishop Joseph Powathil, chairman of the council. Those participated in the conclave included Catholicos Mar Baselius Clemis, head of the Syro-Malankara Church, Joseph Mar Irenius, Safragan Metropolitan of Marthoma Church, Paulose Mar Pakomios of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Archbishop Kuriakose Mar Savarios of the Knanaya Orthodox Church and Bishop Thomas Samuel of CSI Madhya Kerala Archdiocese.